Twin farmers celebrate 60 years in the industry (From Crewe Guardian)

Twin farmers celebrate 60 years in the industry

9:22am Friday 3rd February 2012 in News

A PAIR of identical twin farmers from Crewe are celebrating 60 years in the profession.

Tom and Harold Bickerton, both 90 year-old of Sunnyside Dairy Farm, in Leighton, start their day at dawn and still feed the cattle and ride tractors.

Their 60 years in agriculture co-incides with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, and are among many senior citizens in east Cheshire who will remember the Queen’s coronation in 1952.

Harold said: “After carrying out the same job for 60 years or more, you know the job inside and out.

“I’d say the Queen has seen staff come and go and knows all the pitfalls of the role - just as we do in farming.”

To mark the jubilee over the extended weekend of June 2 and 5, the newly-formed Cheshire Community Foundation has received a donation from the Duke of Westminster’s charitable fund, the Westminster Foundation.

The money will be distributed among communities on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis.

Clr Rachel Bailey, cabinet member with responsibility for safer and stronger communities, said: “To help create a party atmosphere and bring people together, we are dedicating funding of £100 per community group on a first-come, first-served basis.

“We would encourage as many people as possible to take advantage of this funding and throw a street party or use their local park or playing field to host an event.”

The deadline to apply for funding and road closures is Monday, April 9.

For more information call Jane Kavanagh on 01270 685854 or visit cheshireeast.gov.uk/jubilee.